Questions on boolits for 9mm.

[thx997303]

I am looking at a flat nosed boolit to shoot through my XD.

I am looking at the Ranch dog TLC356-135-RF, and the Lee 358-125-RF.

My questions are as follows.

Is anybody shooting the Ranch Dog 135 gr with the intent of a higher velocity, accurate load? If so, what velocity are you achieving with what powder? (Not looking to hot rod, just wondering what's doable.)

And the second question is, can anybody tell me the size of the meplat on the lee 125?

I'm rather partial to the 125 gr boolits in 9mm, and can and do get an easy 1100 fps out of them with even smaller charges of unique.

I worry about possibly losing penetration with the 135 gr by losing velocity while not getting much more mass.

But I also prefer the 72% meplat on the ranch dog designs.

If only his TL358-125-RF were going to be in stock before Sep. of next year.

[RobS]

My dad has the recent designed 358-125-RF. I'll send him a PM and get back with you although it probably won't be until tomorrow sometime as I'm sure he is sleeping by now. He usually checks the forum in the early AM so I may have an answer for you by mid-day and more than likely by evening at the latest.

Update: PM sent with link to this thread

[fredj338]

I can run 147gr @ 1000fps w/o bending anything, 125gr @ 1200fps w/o bending anything. I don't see why you couldn'y run 135gr @ 1100fps, but what is the big issue w/ penetration? Even the 125gr @ 1000fps are goinf along way thru most target stoppers.

[lwknight]

THX , I don't think that unique is the best powder for heavier 9mm loads.
The tiny case capacity limits a lot of things.
There was a lot of good info showed up from one of my questions in this thread.
Golden Saber Question (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=93083&highlight=%22golden+saber%22)

[thx997303]

I only mentioned unique because that is what I currently use in my 9mm with the lee 124(5?) gr round nose boolits.

A different powder is in order I imagine, but I'll have to study up on them a bit.

[RobS]

WSF is a good one and probably the one I would use, Power Pistol also but can be a bit picky with ambient temps, IMR 4756 is good as well

[thx997303]

So, I'm thinking if I end up using the 135 gr boolits, I'm looking at possibly Blue dot, or AA5.

Are these going to be an acceptable powder or should I go to something a little slower?

[RobS]

Bluedot seems like it always burns faster than the rest of the powders in the burnrate charts when reloading it in straight wall cartidges and has been used with 9mm reloading. WSF will work well with the heavier bullets. AA#5 might be a bit fast if you are looking at upper velocities; AA#7 will provide the higher velocities while keeping the pressures in check.

Don't over look HS-6 it a good one too.

[casterofboolits]

So, I'm thinking if I end up using the 135 gr boolits, I'm looking at possibly Blue dot, or AA5.

Are these going to be an acceptable powder or should I go to something a little slower?

Have been using Bluie Dot for the 9mm, 38 Super since the mid 80's. Works like a charm for me.

[Artful]

N340 seems to be good with heavies in 9mm

[RobS]

thx997303:

I haven't heard back from pops yet; haven't forgot about ya.

[xringshutr]

I have been running Power Pist in my 9 Mini Meters with Lee the TL356-124TC . Though I haven't ran it over a chrono, it definately has some poop behind it with some of my higher end loads. None above book, but right at max.
Cast from ACWW and sized to .357 or .358 (my mold drops at .358 +/-), they shoot stupid little groups and absolutely no leading. Just mule snot for lube. As a matter of fact, I tried some old commercial cast that I had laying around and they leaded the bore noticably. I followed them with some of the 124 Lee TC's lubed with LLA and it actually cleaned the leading out!!! Had the same thing happen with some 44 Mag loads a couple weeks before and thought I would give it a try in the 9MM.
These bullets feed perfectly in every 9 I have (at least 7, but I'm not tellin a total/too incriminating :shock:) but I have to seat them deeper in the Sig P6 (short throat/tight chamber). Those little P6's are shooters BTW.
This goes to show that when you have correct bullet fit to the bore diameter, good things happen. DEFINATELY run bigger than .356 in the 9MM. AAMOF, if you can get away with .358, you will be happy.

[lwknight]

DEFINATELY run bigger than .356 in the 9MM. AAMOF, if you can get away with .358, you will be happy.
Not all 9mm are created equal.
My P-95 likes .356 and slugs at .3545 and will eat any shape bulley I feed it.
Conversly my 5906 Smith slugs .355 and will not chamber a bullet if its any at all over .355 at all and/or if its standard length.
The Taurus 24/7 slugs .352 but will chamber a .357 bullet.

A tight chamber is just about as bad as tight cylinder throats on a revolver. A royal PITA!

[RobS]

lwknight: The 5906 Smith I would have to part with since I only shoot cast. Too much work for me to get it to shoot and glad you have it. :grin:

[chris in va]

One thing I'll point out, my CZ has a really short throat and won't chamber the 358-125-RF until 1.01, limiting it's case capacity. I have to load it toward the minimum charge weights as the boolit is seated so deeply.

My HiPoint carbine allows 1.09 though, so each gun is different.

[NHlever]

"And the second question is, can anybody tell me the size of the meplat on the lee 125?"

Mine check about .230 across the meplat.

[RobS]

"And the second question is, can anybody tell me the size of the meplat on the lee 125?"

Mine check about .230 across the meplat.

Excellent, now is that this version, the latest design of the boolit. Post #3

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=97095&highlight=358-125-RF

or the other version which has the bevel base

[NHlever]

My mold does not have the bevel base although my 358-158 RF does. I was shooting some of these boolits over Power Pistol this afternoon, and this is what I got for the best groups out of my new Ruger SR9-C at 25 yards from a rest. Other groups weren't this good, but that is because I just don't see that well anymore, and I am learning how to hold this pistol since I have seldom shot semi autos.

Edit: The boolits were sized .358, and seated to an OAL of 1.075. I did have some leading after 50 rounds with my 1-15 alloy, but it shot right out with a few jacketed bullets. I think a harder alloy would work better since it will chamber boolits this size.

[RobS]

That's what thx997303 wanted to know on the melplat. About 65% with those measurements and not quite what he was after it sounds like as he made reference to liking the 72% of the RanchDog mold.

[maximus]

hello, this is what i usually do in my 9mm flat nose 125 grains.

Mold: Lee 2-Cavity Bullet Mold TL356-124-TC
(Not sized)
lubed with lee liquid alox.
4.0 grains of bullseye. (a bit dirty but very consistant).
or
3.5 grains of Titegroup ( a bit cleaner, very good grouping)

i shoot this guys on my S&W sigma and my 995 carbine, they both love them.

[FWest]

hello, this is what i usually do in my 9mm flat nose 125 grains.

Mold: Lee 2-Cavity Bullet Mold TL356-124-TC
(Not sized)
lubed with lee liquid alox.
4.0 grains of bullseye. (a bit dirty but very consistant).
or
3.5 grains of Titegroup ( a bit cleaner, very good grouping)

i shoot this guys on my S&W sigma and my 995 carbine, they both love them.

I don't want to hi-jack the thred, would you mind sharing what OAL are you shooting from the HP 995 carbine with the Lee mold 356 TC ?